Ethiopian troops back in central Somalia

  1. Posted on Thursday 20 August 2009 - 14:36
    Alinur
    Image of Alinur
    Alinoor Moulid Bosh, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya Photo: Mohammed Odowa
    Ethiopian military forces on Thursday crossed the border into Somali central town of Beledweyne, some 206 miles (332 km) north of the Somali capital Mogadishu, witnesses said. The heavily armed troops with armored vehicles got into the town early in the day and set up bases in the centre of the town.
    Ethiopian troops Photo: Mohammed Odowa
    Pro-government forces from Union of Islamic Courts currently control the town, which connects the capital to central towns and it is not clear whether or not the Ethiopian troops are back under the invitation of the local administration, AfricaNews reporter said.

    The forces reported return comes as Islamist militants and pro-government forces continue to battle for the control of central and southern towns. Heavy fighting erupted on Thursday in nearby town of Bulabarde between militant group Al-Shabaab and government forces who invaded the town in a bid to seize it.

    This month alone, several central and southern Somali towns have changed hands between insurgents groups and forces loyal to fragile UN-backed transition government.

    Ethiopian troops completely withdrew from the Horn of African nation in early this year after two years of military occupation. However, Addis Ababa amassed its troops at the border where they frequently crossed the border in what Ethiopia says is “small reconnaissance missions”.

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